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Natalie Wynn isn't a ghostbuster, and she doesn't have a proton pack like the fictional poltergeist slayers from the movies.
Still, she knows just how to handle the specter some say has inhabited her historic home for a century. Wynn simply treats it like a rambunctious teenager — she doesn't take any guff.
And with seven flesh-and-blood children of her own — ages 17 to 30 — she has had plenty of experience.
"She's a kid," Wynn said of the ghost. "I have yelled at her like I would any other kid in the house."
With its Victorian-era gingerbread trim and landmark widow's walk, the Wynn home is one of the oldest and most distinguished houses in the region.
Strangers, some of them looking for the historic A.C. Freeman house a block away, have been known to wander in the front door in search of a tour. One woman even struck up an argument with Wynn, claiming the house was a museum rather than a private residence.
With its prime spot on West Retta Esplanade overlooking Gilchrist Park and Charlotte Harbor, Wynn's place certainly has museum qualities.
It was built in 1893 by one of Punta Gorda's most successful early businessmen, James Sandlin, a real estate and shipping investor, developer and merchant who helped bring the railroad to town.
But Sandlin's family was beset by tragedy. An infant died three days after birth. A son, Felix, 11, died in 1902. Sandlin himself died — possibly of tuberculosis — in 1903, leaving behind a 34-year-old widow and three children.
But perhaps the most notable calamity occurred in 1909, when Sandlin's 14-year-old daughter, Mary Leah, was ironing on the porch with a gasoline-heated flat iron — a common appliance until World War I.
Somehow, the gasoline spilled and Mary's clothes ignited. Screaming, she ran ablaze down Harvey Street. Neighbors caught her and put out the flames, but the girl died three hours later.
Ever since, the Sandlin house has been said to be haunted. Natalie and Vander Wynn can attest to that.
"It is just part of the thing about this house," she said.
The legend has been recounted in several books — including "Charlotte Harbor: Early Years" by U.S. Cleveland and Lindsey Williams, and "Floridaland Ghosts" by Dylan Clearfield — so there's little hope in trying to hide the tale.
Instead, the Wynns have decided to embrace the otherwordly aspect of the house, and they plan to disclose the presence to potential buyers as they market the home for sale at $1.59 million.
Mary, the "harmless" ghost
When the Wynns bought the house in 2001, they asked the seller about scary Mary, the "harmless" ghost.
He pointed to his forearm. The hairs were standing on end.
In the years since, the couple have compiled their own set of ghost stories.
"One time, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and I called 'Natalie?' She said 'yes' from over here (the other side of the room)."
It was just Mary.
"It is kind of fun," said Vander Wynn, an anesthesiologist at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. "It adds to the value of the house."
Another time, the Wynn children had Mary trapped in a closet — the living and the dead trying to push the door shut or force it open.
"We have heard her creaking and walking," said Natalie Wynn, a nurse-anesthetist. "Not so much lately, with the kids out of the house. Mostly when they were younger, when we spent more time in this part of the house."
Nowadays, the Wynns spend most of their time in a more modern, elevated and hurricane-resistant addition. It's not Mary's favorite haunt.
She has disappeared completely, though. In early January, Natalie heard what she initially thought was the cat tapping on the walls.
But when she looked down, there was the cat, standing next to her owner and minding her own business.
Before the addition was built, the Wynn children slept in bedrooms on the second floor. From there, a steep staircase ascends to the widow's walk.
"There were a few times when they came screaming down here because they heard something," Natalie Wynn recalls. "They were freaked out."
Previous owners of the Sandlin House had similar experiences, according to historical accounts. One family's children refused to sleep upstairs. Their friends would not spend the night. One of the children, Frank Smoak Jr., slept with his rifle next to the bed.
Weapons are totally unnecessary, Natalie Wynn says. You just have to know how to speak to an adolescent ghost. Besides, "she is friendly."
Mary is congenial even though the Wynns may have the object that led to her demise — on display, no less. In the living room, on a pedestal, sits an old, gasoline-heated iron that they found on the property.
And while the Wynns aren't shying away from Mary's alleged presence, neither do they draw too much attention to it. When the couple bought the house, for instance, there was a mark on the porch where Mary supposedly caught fire.
But because the porch had a lot of rotten wood, they replaced it, doing away with what had been a tragic reminder of the fire, according to history books.
After James Sandlin's wife sold the house in 1925, more chapters involving Mary were written.
Smoak Jr. told historians that one night, when his father was away, he and his mother heard the front door open and footsteps in the living room.
"We heard the intruder coming up the steps," he said. "We remained very still and heard the footsteps go into another bedroom. I grabbed my rifle, and we cautiously approached and looked in. No one was there! Mother and I felt it was the ghost of Mary Leah Sandlin coming back to her bedroom. Father pooh-poohed me, saying, 'Dead people can't hurt you. You have to worry about live people.'"
Years later, owner Julie Hollander once found the gas iron turned on. Another time, she discovered laundry that had been mysteriously scattered on the floor.
Mary hasn't been responsible for every incident in the house, however.
When the Smoaks owned the place, sparks from the chimney set wood roof shingles on fire. Smoak Sr. implored his son to help him fight the blaze with buckets of water. The fire department, he feared, would chop holes in the roof while putting the fire out.
On another occasion, a would-be, early 20th Century assassin fired a shot through the front door at a renter. The bullet deflected off the screen door and hit the renter in the leg, sparing his life but costing him the leg.
High-tech touches
Ghost stories aside, the Sandlin House has been a journey for the Wynns.
Four years after buying it, in 2005, they renovated and expanded the place, bringing the combined square footage to about 5,600 and creating a roomy home with all the functionality of a modern residence.
The addition, for instance, is made with insulated concrete forms. Windows, except for the 120-year-old fenestration around the porch, are new and impact-resistant. The siding is fiber-cement.
The addition features a "hurricane room" upstairs, too, installed because the original house was damaged by Hurricane Charley when flying debris pierced the roof. To make sure that wouldn't happen again, the ceilings were covered with stamped-metal tiles.
The original house did not have an indoor bathroom or a kitchen when it was built, but today there are five bathrooms and the addition has a kitchen with modern touches like a huge granite island.
The Wynns converted an original porch into a kitchenette overlooking the pool, and turned several small rooms bisected by a hallway into a large living room.
"Some pieces are original, some were added later and some are new," Natalie Wynn said.
"The outside of the old house is all original."
As is the resident ghost.
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CHICAGO, IL — Coors Light and television basketball analyst Kenny Smith have teamed up to encourage basketball fans to help refresh their community basketball courts. Now through April 1, Coors Light will donate one dollar per tweet, up to $75,000, to refurbish community basketball courts when legal-drinking-age fans use the hashtags #FullCourtRefresh and #over21*.
"Coors Light Full Court Refresh is a great opportunity for basketball fans to help restore an important resource in our communities across the country," says Smith. "Not only have these basketball courts produced countless star athletes, they continue to provide a place for ball players to hone their skills and connect with others in their community."
With the help of fans, Coors Light will donate up to $75,000 to the National Urban League, to makeover community basketball courts in Charlotte, Philadelphia and New York City. Each city will host an event where Smith will be available for interviews and photo opportunities on the following dates:
- Charlotte on April 2
- Philadelphia on April 8
- New York City on April 9
For more information on Coors Light Full Court Refresh, visit fullcourtrefresh.coorslight.com
*Starts at or about 12:00 PM CT on 2/1/14 and ends at 11:59:59 PM CT on 4/1/14 or after 75,000 eligible Tweets are received. Must be 21 years or older and a legal U.S. resident. Subject to Terms & Conditions available at www.promorules.com/1586. Void where prohibited. MillerCoors will donate $1.00 to the National Urban League for each eligible Tweet received up to $75,000. MillerCoors does not receive any money from participating Tweets. All donations will be made by MillerCoors and not by participants. This Program is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter.
About MillerCoors
MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, Coors Light and Miller Lite, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. The company offers a variety of leading craft and import brands, including Blue Moon and Leinenkugel's, through its Tenth and Blake division. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisc., and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

subset: commoncrawl


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Well it looks like phonearena.com is reporting that Sprint customers can earn some extra cash by referring friends and family to sign a new contract with Sprint. According to the website you can earn a $50 Visa gift card for every line of service that your referral signs up for. There is a maximum of $600 in a 12 month period. Not a bad way to earn some extra pocket money, especially if you now some people looking to switch carriers.
You can read more by clicking Phone Arena


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Loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) largely come with policy change conditions attached – conditions that the IMF has played a significant role in developing. Criticisms of the excessive burden and politically sensitive nature of these conditions led to significant reviews at the IMF and the introduction of some conditionality-free facilities, although these are limited in scope. The IMF claims to have limited its conditions to critical reforms agreed by recipient governments. However, the worrying findings of this research suggest that the IMF is going backwards – increasing the number of structural conditions that mandate policy changes per loan, and remaining heavily engaged in highly sensitive and political policy areas.
Eurodad's research found that:
This analysis confirms the findings of other research, which shows that the IMF uses its significant influence to promote controversial austerity and liberalisation measures, with potentially severe impacts on the poorest people around the globe:
This is particularly worrying for borrowers from developing countries, who have a limited voice and a minority vote at the IMF. Agreements made in 2010 to increase – by a small amount – the votes of emerging market economies have been blocked by the failure of the US to ratify them. The US has such a large share of IMF votes that it can unilaterally veto these kinds of decisions, while European governments cling on to eight of the 24 seats* on the IMF's executive board.
It is clear that the IMF's role and governance needs a major overhaul. We make three recommendations:
tags: conditionality, imf, debt sustainability, loans, illegitimate debt,


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Liposuction is a proven way of fat removal but is evasive and heal times can be long. Cryolipolysis or Fat Freezing Greater London (Haringey) is non evasive way of fat removal, skin tightening and removing cellulite. Call LA Lipo today!
Excess fat can bring not only health complications but esteem issues too. For these, a practically rapid 'fat remover' is necessary. Liposuction is a well-liked method of removing extra fat in healthy adults. Liposuction is a popular procedure that removes fat from your body using suction. It involves insertion of small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes through tiny cuts in the skin.
Have you been considering getting a liposuction?
Are you well informed? Whatever the reason, you should be aware of the changes that your body will be going through after the cosmetic surgery. It is important to have the correct information when it comes to liposuction. Factors like recovery time vary from one person to the other. Consider the pros and cons;
- Liposuction is an almost instant way of getting that body you have always desired.
- Lipo can lead to weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and effective workouts.
- Liposuction is less painful, safer and easier today. Thanks to improved techniques.
- Ultrasound- aided lipo. Fat is liquefied using ultrasound to make it easier to remove.
- The tumescent lipo. A large amount of local anaesthetic is used to numb the area of the body where the tube will be inserted.
- Laser-assisted lipo. In this case, low-energy waves are used to liquefy the fat.
- Lipo is considered a generally safe procedure.
- Patients can move by themselves immediately after the procedure
- Lipo reduces the severity of diseases associated with obesity like; sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and joint pain. Incontinence may also be improved.
- Removing extra fats decreases risks of cardiovascular health problems like heart attacks.
- Lipo patients develop better lifestyles and more confidence after the procedure.
- Most individuals lose seventy five percent of their extra weight 18 months after a lipo.
- Disadvantages
- There may be some scarring and bruises that might last for up to three months.
- It will take some time for complete healing to take place.
- Wearing extra-tight garments is a must for six weeks after the procedure.
- Immediately after the surgery, it might not feel so great or comfortable because of the swelling.
- Nausea and vomiting is a common side effect of liposuction.
- There is a rare but risk factor of getting blood clots.
- Other complications include an abdominal hernia.
- A drastic loss of weight after undergoing a lipo may put you at risk of gallstones.
- Swift breast transformations and six pack abs are possible with Liposuction. Consult your doctor first!


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End of Active Service otherwise known as EAS.
Those three letters alone have the power to change your life forever.
If you're a Marine, this day will come and when it does, it will be surreal. You won't believe it's around the corner even though it is fast approaching.
Once you have your DD214 form in your hands, no more stupid bullshit, no more rules, no more regulations, no more orders, no more being in the Marine Corps. You can finally grow out your hair, smoke pot, tell Gunny to go fuck himself and his bullshit field day inspections where the rooms are clean but for some reason if he finds one tiny speck of dust, it's like the equivalent of an Ebola outbreak to him. You can even do all of that at the same time! Oh, the freedom of choice!
Was the Marine Corps a bad experience? Mostly. But there are things that I took from that mostly bad experience. I learned that 20 years in the Marine Corps would drive me to borderline suicidal levels. I also learned that humanity is going downhill real fast and there's no brakes on that motherfucker. On the plus side, I saved up a lot of money, get to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill, went around the world (the smelly parts), learned a lot of military knowledge, learned a lot of life skills, did some cool things and met some cool people.
But in the end, I was sick of being a government slave. I wanted to get out and stay out.
Not re-enlisting since 1779.


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MUSTANG HOOFPRINTS: Gold Rush Raffle is Friday
Hello Mustang fans! The 11th annual Mustang Gold Rush Raffle, sponsored by the Mustang Booster Club, takes place Friday in the SMSU Conference Center Ballroom. The event starts with a social at 6 p.m. and the reverse raffle follows at 7 p.m.
We will have plenty of activities going on throughout the evening for everyone's entertainment, as well as a great silent and live auction and a chance to win the mystery prize.
This year's Gold Rush Raffle Committee has some new activities planned for the evening with a Valentine's Day theme.
We still have a few Gold Rush Raffle tickets available, and please remember you do not need to be present to win the grand prize
I look forward to see you Friday for an evening of great fun!
On the Web
For all your information about the Gold Rush Raffle and SMSU athletics, visit our website at www.smsumustangs.com.
Upcoming SMSU athletic events
The SMSU wrestling team (11-5 overall, 5-2 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) is idle this week, preparing to conclude the 2013-14 regular season Feb. 22, when the Mustangs welcome the University of Mary to the P.E. Gym.
Men's Basketball
The SMSU men's basketball team (15-9, 12-6 NSIC South) heads on the road this weekend to battle the University of Mary (6-17, 4-14 NSIC North) on Friday in the last NSIC road trip of the regular season. The tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck.
On Saturday, the Mustangs travel to Minot State University (8-14, 4-14 NSIC) with a tip-off slated for 6 p.m. at the MSU Dome in Minot, N.D.
Southwest begins the weekend in third place in the NSIC South Division standings and tied for fourth overall. Last weekend, the Mustangs went 1-1, losing to Minnesota State and beating Concordia-St. Paul.
Women's Basketball
The SMSU women's basketball team (4-18, 2-16 NSIC) will play the last two games of this four-game NSIC road trip this weekend.
On Friday, the Mustangs will battle the University of Mary (13-8 overall, 11-7) at 6 p.m. before heading to Minot State (15-7, 11-6) on Saturday with game time set for 4 p.m.
SMSU is coming off a tough NSIC road trip last weekend losing to Minnesota State and Concordia St. Paul.
Indoor Track and Field
The SMSU men's and women's indoor track and field teams will resume action at the Minnesota State Open on Saturday in Mankato.
Field events begin at 11 a.m. with the weight throw, long jump and pole vault, while the high jump, shot put, triple jump and running events will start at 12 p.m.
SMSU's Rylee Armstrong will compete on Sunday in the Pentathlon at the NSIC Indoor Mult, starting at 2 p.m. in Mankato.
Wheelchair Basketball
The SMSU wheelchair basketball team (11-14) team continues its homestand this weekend with four games at P.E. Gym.
The Mustangs will face the Sioux Falls Wheelers at 4 p.m. Saturday before taking on the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. The Timberwolves and Wheelers will play each other at 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, SMSU will take on the Timberwolves at 9 a.m. before closing the weekend versus Sioux Falls at 12 p.m. Sioux Falls and the Timberwolves will play at 10:30 a.m.
This weekend's games are the final in the regular season for the Mustangs, who will compete in the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships on March 6-8 in Arlington, Texas.
Women's Tennis
The SMSU women's tennis team (1-4, 0-3 NSIC) lost two NSIC matches last weekend versus St. Cloud State and Bemidji State on Saturday at the Fitness Evolution in Sartell.
The Mustangs will take a week off before heading to the Sioux Empire Fitness Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., to battle Augustana and Minnesota-Crookston on Feb. 21-22.
The SMSU baseball team begins its 2014 season this weekend with a three-game series versus Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.) at Al Ortolani Field on the campus of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan.
The Mustangs and Tigers will play a doubleheader – two seven-inning games – at 12 and 2 p.m. Saturday. The series concludes with a nine-inning game at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Paul Blanchard, enters his 18th season as head coach of the Mustangs, who finished last season with a 17-23-1 record.
The Mustang softball team also opens up their 2014 season, traveling this weekend in Golden, Colo., to play four games versus the Colorado School of Mines.
SMSU will play a doubleheaders at 1 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday.
Jaimie Dunn begins her first season as the Mustangs head coach. SMSU finished 19-21 last season.
Good luck to all of our SMSU teams competing this weekend!
Go Mustangs!
Trivia Contest
No one was able to provide the correct response to last week's Mustang Hoofprint's Trivia Question: When was the last time the SMSU wrestling team was nationally ranked?
In 1997-98, the Mustangs finished the season ranked 17th in the country.
Trivia Question
At last year's Gold Rush Raffle, who won the grand prize of $5,000?
The first person to email me at email@example.com with the correct answer to this question will receive an SMSU T-shirt.


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"I was expecting it to be flimsy like regular posters, but it's not! Its just a big piece of photo paper. Definitely something you shouldn't tape to the wall, it's worth getting a frame."
"i received the poster with a protective paper taped around it. photos came out nice. overall im happy with the product."
"Beautiful quality and looks amazing in a gallery 16 x 20 frame. Plan to do several of these from family trips. I only wish there was a high count vertical one as well."
"I have used the 11x14 to make Pet Memorials for 3 of my dogs that passed away. I picked the layout for one large picture and three smaller pictures. I was also able to add their names at the top and years they were born and passed at the bottom. All turned out just beautiful and look so nice in barnwood frames.
I would like to suggest to Shutterfly to use a pet memorial as an example in their collage photos. I believe a lot of people would like to do the same thing for their pets. Thank you!"
Photo collage posters and prints are a great way for you to tell your story, your way. Preserve and highlight your favorite memories with a charming collage poster from Shutterfly. Whether you are planning a party, in need of a fun gift, moving into a dorm room or looking to fill that empty space in your house, these one-of-a-kind keepsakes are sure to make you (and your loved ones) smile.
Celebrate family, seasons, birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, funerals, weddings, vacation, class reunions, engagement parties, office parties, bon voyage parties… you get the picture. There are so many reasons people get together. A wonderful way to showcase and reminisce about your lives together is with a customized collage poster. Everyone will be able to come together and laugh, cry, smile and cherish all of those precious moments you choose to display. Our posters also make great gifts.
Collage posters can also be used as a way to highlight change and development: a baby or puppy as they grow, plants as they bloom, the sun as it sets, a runner in a marathon and so much more. Make a collage online to highlight events like these as they progress over time. The best thing about collage posters is that you don't have to choose just one image—instead, use multiple pictures to create a beautiful collection of your favorite memories.
Beyond collage posters, there are many ways you can take your photos off your phone or camera and turn them into exquisite home décor. Turn your memories into stunning photo prints with Shutterfly. These are perfect to keep at home and share special memories with your loved ones. From cubicles to kitchens, keep track of important dates wherever you are with calendars for every space. Canvas photo prints are another lovely idea. They are versatile and look just as good whether they are arranged in collages, multi-panels or single scenes on your wall. Make sure your friends and family members remember important dates in your life with personalized magnets from Shutterfly – these are great for wedding days and other important "save the date" events.


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This section addresses the rules for contracting for service on PG&E's backbone transmission and local transmission system. It describes the contracting rules that were developed in the Gas Accord, and PG&E's proposals to improve its service offerings. For 2004, PG&E proposes that the basic Gas Accord structure for backbone transmission service be retained, and that enhancements be added to improve the service offerings.
The Gas Accord provides rate certainty for standard rates on a non-discriminatory basis, and the flexibility to negotiate transmission and storage rates. In addition, the Gas Accord created tradable rights for both transmission and storage capacity that can be purchased by any market participant.
Under the Gas Accord, PG&E was authorized to market capacity on its intrastate backbone transmission system under Commission-approved tariffs. PG&E agreed to be at risk for the revenues, and any profit or loss from the backbone. No balancing account was authorized.
For local transmission service, PG&E's end-use customers contract for local transmission service as part of their Natural Gas Service Agreement (NGSA).
PG&E's local transmission charges are non-bypassable for on-system deliveries. Although PG&E allows backbone and local transmission services to be contracted for separately, both services apply to all deliveries to all end-use customers located within PG&E's service territory. This structure obligates all customers that flow gas on PG&E's on-system backbone transmission paths to pay for a share of PG&E's local transmission system.
Direct connects to the backbone to avoid local transmission charges within PG&E's service territory are not allowed. In addition, the rules prohibit allowing gas to flow on another backbone service provider directly into PG&E's local transmission system to avoid PG&E's backbone charges. PG&E proposes to retain these same rules in 2004.
For gas producers, marketers, and noncore end-use customers, PG&E's backbone transmission service may be contracted for separately from local transmission services through a Gas Transmission Service Agreement (GTSA). For core end-use customers, a GTSA is not required because backbone service is provided to these customers through capacity holdings assigned to their CPG.
Backbone transmission services and rates are differentiated by path and type of service.
The Redwood Path is linked to Canadian and Rocky Mountain supplies. The Baja Path is linked to Southwest and Rocky Mountain supplies, and the Silverado Path is linked to California supplies. The Mission Path provides access to both PG&E and third party storage facilities in Northern California. A PG&E citygate was created at the connection between the backbone system and the local transmission system. The citygate allows direct gas-on-gas competition among supply basins and storage gas within Northern California. During the Gas Accord, the citygate has become a major trading point. PG&E proposes that the citygate be continued.
Shippers may contract for firm or as-available service on each path of PG&E's backbone transmission system. Firm service guarantees a shipper, in exchange for a monthly demand charge, use of the contracted capacity unless maintenance or some other infrequent event reduces the pipeline's overall capacity.15 Shippers holding firm service can sell their firm capacity rights to other shippers in the secondary market.
As-available service provides capacity when firm rights are not fully utilized, and is subject to interruption depending on how much pipeline capacity is available. As-available service has a lower priority than firm service, and only has a volumetric charge. As-available service requests are ranked by contract unit price, and are assigned capacity from the highest price on down until all the capacity is fully scheduled.
PG&E's on-system service is for ultimate delivery to an on-system end-use customer. On-system delivery points include deliveries to PG&E's local transmission and distribution facilities (PG&E citygate), PG&E's storage facilities, third-party storage facilities located in PG&E's service territory, or end-use or wholesale loads located in PG&E's service territory.
An off-system delivery point is any point of interconnection with an interstate pipeline, third-party pipeline delivering to an off-system customer, or regulated California utility, where the gas being delivered is eventually consumed outside of PG&E's service territory. The off-system designation is specified in a shipper's GTSA. The off-system designation is considered a separate path from the on-system designation, and currently has a separate transportation rate.
PG&E provides backbone transmission services under a variety of standard and negotiated rate schedules. Under the Gas Accord, the standard rate schedule is available to all creditworthy entities at fixed rates and at specific terms and conditions to the extent capacity is available. These standard services are also referred to as default or recourse services. If a customer prefers a rate that is different from the standard rate, then service must be provided under tariffs for negotiated services.
When contracting for standard backbone transmission services, a customer may choose the volume (depending on firm capacity availability), the term, and the rate design, either Modified Fixed Variable (MFV) or Straight Fixed Variable (SFV). Any other variations in rates or terms of service must be arranged under the negotiated services.
Under the Gas Accord, the maximum term for standard service was for the five-year term of the Gas Accord, with certain exceptions. PG&E is proposing to allow shippers the option of subscribing for longer terms of up to 15 years for standard service.
Negotiated services allow a shipper to more closely match its transportation needs, as compared to service under the standard rate schedules. Negotiable rates are available under PG&E's four negotiable backbone transportation tariffs. These four rate schedules are: G-NFT - Negotiated Firm Transportation On-System; G-NFTOFF - Negotiated Firm Transportation Off-System; G-NAA - Negotiated As-Available Transportation On-System; and G-NAAOFF - Negotiated As-Available Transportation Off-System. These tariffs allow for the negotiation of take, term, and price. The "take" refers to variations in the monthly demand charge or "take or pay" requirement. Any other negotiated contract term requires specific Commission approval of the contract.
The Gas Accord also addressed certain terms and conditions of negotiated contracts. PG&E's backbone transportation negotiable tariffs contain a specific provision which ensures that the standard tariff rates and terms are available to all customers in lieu of negotiated rates and terms. The negotiable tariffs also provide that:
"PG&E may distinguish between parties in offering negotiated rates by evaluating differences in circumstances and conditions, including, but not limited to, differences occurring upstream of, downstream of, or at, the Customer's location, and differences affecting either cost of service to the Customer or the Customer's market alternatives. Negotiations with Customers under this rate schedule will be conducted without undue preference or undue discrimination to the Customer or to any third party." (See 73 CPUC2d at 815; PG&E Schedule G-NFT.)
The Gas Accord and the negotiated tariffs also provide that in exchange for negotiable terms, the maximum negotiated rate authorized in the Gas Accord is 120% of the corresponding standard rate for the same service. The price floor for all negotiated contracts is the short-run marginal cost.
A negotiated rate under PG&E's negotiable tariff can be described as a discount from the standard rate or as a premium to the standard rate. A premium to the standard rate occurs when a service feature of the standard tariff has been revised for the benefit of the shipper, and the shipper is willing to pay a higher price for that benefit. The premium rate that is paid provides PG&E with an appropriate incentive to change the service feature.
A discount to the standard rate occurs when service is provided at a price below the standard rate. Discounting occurs when PG&E has a financial incentive to do so. For on-system shippers, PG&E discounts the negotiated rate only when the lower rate would provide an end-use customer with an incentive to use more gas than it would absent the discount. For gas flowing off-system, PG&E's negotiated rate for off-system delivery is priced to provide shippers with an incentive to use PG&E's pipelines as opposed to using interstate pipelines. When a discount is offered, PG&E benefits from the additional volume of gas that is transported on the system.
For backbone transmission services, PG&E proposes to maintain the same basic structure developed in the Gas Accord for 2004 and beyond. The paths, firm and as-available rights, on-system and off-system service, and standard and negotiable services, all would continue subject to the changes proposed below.
For local transmission services, PG&E proposes to continue with the same basic structure developed in the Gas Accord for the years 2004 and beyond. This basic structure obligates all customers that flow gas on PG&E's on-system backbone transmission paths to pay for a share of PG&E's local transmission system. As discussed in the cost allocation section of this decision, PG&E is proposing to segment local transmission rates to better reflect the cost of serving large noncore customers.
PG&E proposes to allow shippers to contract for firm backbone service for up to 15 years for standard firm service. PG&E proposes that the amount of the firm capacity available for such long-term contracts be limited for the period covered by this proceeding to 400 MDth/d on the Redwood Path, and 200 MDth/d on the Baja Path. This represents about 20% of the available firm capacity. The long-term contracting proposal would not apply to capacity assigned for core customer use.
Under PG&E's proposal, those shippers who request long-term firm capacity contracts must agree to pay the standard firm tariff rate. Thus, the long-term contracts will be subject to future rate changes. These shippers are free to participate in any future rate proceedings.
Each long-term contract would be tied to the terms of PG&E's standard firm tariff and GTSA, and be subject to any future changes by the Commission. PG&E proposes to file any agreement longer than five years with the Commission for informational purposes.
When the Gas Accord Settlement Agreement was adopted in D.97-08-055, the Commission added the commensurate discount rule as part of the negotiated rate guidelines. (73 CPUC2d at 784-785.)16 PG&E proposes to maintain this requirement in 2004, but to adjust the rule to remove certain disincentives PG&E is facing in meeting market needs.
PG&E proposes that the tariff language for the commensurate discount rule be changed to the following:17
"Whenever PG&E offers a rate under this rate schedule which is below the tariff rate cap for Schedule G-AFT on its Redwood to On-System path, PG&E shall contemporaneously offer a commensurate discount (i.e., the same penny for penny discount up to the specified quantity and up to the specified term in any discounted contract with any Redwood to On-System shipper) to all prospective shippers for firm service from the tariffed rate cap for schedule G-AFT for the Baja to On-System and Silverado to On-System paths, to the extent capacity is available up to an equivalent volume in aggregate to the discount offered for Redwood to On-System service." (Ex. 1 at 5-12.)
PG&E proposes that a discount be defined as any on-system offer with a rate below the standard firm (G-AFT) rate for a negotiated firm service contract or below the standard as-available (G-AA) rate for negotiated as-available service contract. PG&E seeks this change because it believes the commensurate discount rule should only apply when a contract's rate is below the standard rate. D.97-08-055 interpreted a discount to be any rate offered below the maximum negotiated rate, which is 120% of the standard tariff rate. PG&E believes such a definition of a discount is too restrictive. The negotiated rate cap was intended to allow PG&E to provide additional upward pricing flexibility in a negotiated contract, to encourage PG&E to provide specific services to customers who were willing to pay more than the standard rate. It is not an appropriate benchmark to use for the purpose of defining what constitutes a discount. The unintended consequence is that there is a disincentive for PG&E to reduce the negotiated contract rate below the maximum.
PG&E also proposes to separately offer the commensurate discount for an aggregate volume equal to the volume of the Redwood discount for both the Baja and Silverado paths. This means that if PG&E offers a one-month discount for 10 MDth/d on the Redwood Path, an equal one-month discount would be offered for 10 MDth/d for Silverado Path service and 10 MDth/d for Baja Path service. Resolution G-3288 requires, however, that a discount to a small volume on a Redwood-on contract be offered to all volumes on the Baja and Silverado paths, which results in a very unbalanced incentive structure. Consequently, PG&E declined to offer any on-system discounts for Redwood capacity, even in circumstances where such a discount on a stand-alone basis might be economic and better serve the market.
Scheduling non-performance usually occurs when a shipper submits a large nomination for as-available service at a constrained receipt point, receives a large share of its nomination in the confirmation process, and then only flows a small percentage of the volume that was confirmed. This over-nomination behavior reduces opportunities for other shippers who may have flowed gas if awarded the space. During periods of scarcity, scheduling non-performance can exert upward pressure on the market value of pipeline capacity and increase costs to end-users. Scheduling non-performance can also reduce revenues for the pipeline.
Under the Gas Accord, PG&E developed a process in Gas Rule 21, Section B.4, to levy a noncompliance charge for excessive scheduling non-performance behavior by a shipper. The current process and charge, however, is cumbersome to administer and is not able to manage this over-nomination problem when it occurs.
PG&E proposes to eliminate the current scheduling non-performance language in its tariffs, and replace it with a simpler and more direct process that reduces a shipper's ability to engage in scheduling non-performance.
PG&E proposes to limit the maximum daily contract quantity (MDQ) of any as-available contract for backbone transmission service to the expected usage of that contract by a shipper. Under PG&E's current procedures, a customer, with appropriate credit, can request an as-available contract quantity up to the capacity of the pipeline. For the purposes of this proposal, PG&E defines expected usage as a shipper's highest actual usage in the past 12 months. If a shipper's usage increases, the shipper may contact PG&E to have the MDQ increased. As part of the proposal to manage scheduling non-performance, PG&E also seeks authorization to reduce, on a daily basis, an as-available contract's MDQ to the previous day's actual usage, if scheduling non-performance is occurring.
PG&E believes that shippers on PG&E's transmission system have the potential to use third-party storage to bypass PG&E's transportation charges, should these third-party storage providers connect to a customer owned private transmission or gas gathering pipeline. This could result in the bypass of PG&E's local transmission charge, or the bypass of PG&E's backbone transmission charge. PG&E asserts that as a result of the bypass, other customers suffer economic harm because they end up having to pay for the bypassed charges. PG&E is harmed because it is unfairly deprived of revenues that are needed to provide its services.
PG&E recently filed a complaint case against Calpine, LGS and others in Case (C.) 03-07-031 alleging that bypass has occurred.
Private transmission pipelines, end-use customers and gas gathering facilities that connect to facilities18 owned by a third-party storage operator may be able to bypass PG&E's local transmission charges without PG&E's knowledge. This could occur in the following manner. The private pipeline that connects to a third-party storage facility would be able to nominate gas from PG&E's backbone system for delivery to the third-party storage facility, and then later withdraw the gas directly into the private pipeline for transportation to the private party's end-use facility. Since PG&E would not meter this gas, the customer could avoid PG&E's local transmission charges, customer access and customer class charges, including applicable Commission social and environmental costs and G-SUR charges.
The bypass opportunity is created because deliveries from PG&E's backbone to third-party storage operators are exempt from paying for local transmission and other end-user charges. This exemption was developed under the assumption that the gas put into third-party storage would eventually be delivered to end-use customers through PG&E's pipeline and metering facilities where local transmission and other end-user charges could be measured and billed. Such an assumption would no longer be valid if private pipelines serving their own end-use facilities directly could avoid local transmission charges by flowing their gas through third-party storage facilities.
Backbone bypass could occur if gas-gathering pipelines or new interstate pipelines connect to third-party storage facilities, and then delivery of this gas is through PG&E's transmission system using the zero rate Mission-on path backbone transportation service. Such action would allow a shipper to avoid paying the Silverado Path rate that would have been charged if the gas were delivered directly to PG&E's system.
PG&E proposes that the Commission require all third party storage operators under the Commission's jurisdiction to file a monthly report and to register all pipeline interconnections to its storage facilities. Such registration would establish the identity of the owner of the interconnected private transmission or gas gathering pipeline. The monthly report would summarize the total metered deliveries and receipts at each interconnect, and the total amount of storage gas currently held by the third-party storage operators in storage for all original gas deliveries. The gas delivery may be owned either by the owner of the interconnect or by another party who was sold the gas or took an inventory transfer of the gas.19
If the metered deliveries from the private pipeline to the third-party storage operator are greater than the receipts (deliveries from the third-party storage operator to the private pipeline) plus the amount of gas held in storage, then it should be presumed that the private pipeline owner has chosen to withdraw this gas and delivered it to PG&E under the Mission Path at a zero rate, having never paid for the backbone transportation (Silverado Path) service being used.
If the metered deliveries from the private pipeline to the third-party storage operator are less than the receipts (deliveries from the third-party storage operator to the private pipeline) plus the amount of gas held in storage, then it should be presumed that the private pipeline owner has transported a net amount of gas to their end-use facility. Since this net amount of gas originally traveled to the third-party storage facility on a PG&E backbone transmission tariff, the end-user is obligated to pay the rates under Rate Schedule G-NT or G-EG end-user tariff for that gas.
Depending on the outcome of this calculation, and only if a private pipeline's metered deliveries, receipts and storage inventory are not in balance, PG&E proposes to collect the transportation charges avoided by this customer by billing the owner of the private pipeline or gas gathering pipeline the applicable as-available rate for either Silverado path service or for transmission-level G-NT or G-EG end-user service. If the owner of the private pipeline is not a customer of PG&E, then the Commission should require that the third-party storage provider be responsible for billing the customer and reimbursing PG&E for the services provided by PG&E. The Commission should also require the third party storage provider to include this requirement in its tariffs and place the private pipeline owner on notice that they will be responsible for these charges if their accounts don't balance.
PG&E's bypass proposal is to help enforce the Commission's long-standing rate policy that PG&E's local transmission charges are non-bypassable for all end-users in PG&E's service territory.
Several customers propose that a backbone-only rate structure be established in PG&E's service territory. Such a rate structure would allow a customer to connect directly to PG&E's backbone facilities without the payment of any local transmission charges. This issue is discussed more fully in the cost allocation section of this decision.
A related transmission cost allocation issue is PG&E's proposal to establish a four-tiered local transmission rate for noncore customers. This issue is also discussed in the cost allocation section.
PG&E proposes to collect a bypass charge for third party storage service. PG&E asserts that such a charge is necessary in order to ensure that customers that use private pipelines to transport gas either to or from a third party storage field do not avoid paying for local transmission service or backbone transmission service.
CCC/Calpine oppose PG&E's bypass charge. CCC/Calpine contend that this situation no different from their backbone-level proposal where a backbone-level customer builds a lateral to take service directly from the PG&E backbone system. CCC/Calpine assert that backbone-level customers should not be forced to pay for a PG&E local transmission service that they do not use, and customers that take gas from storage using private pipelines should not have to pay for local transmission services that they do not receive.
CCC/Calpine assert that similar reasoning applies to the second scenario where the Mission path is used. CCC/Calpine contend that to the extent the shipper does not use PG&E local transmission service, it should not have to pay local transmission charges. If PG&E is allowed to assess local transmission charges to customers using the zero cost Mission path rate to transport gas to the citygate, CCC/Calpine assert that PG&E is likely to double recover its local transmission charges. First, PG&E will collect local transmission charges from shippers moving gas to the citygate. Second, PG&E will collect local transmission charges from customers who move the gas from the citygate to their end-use facilities.
CCC/Calpine agree, however, that shippers who utilize PG&E's backbone facilities to transport gas to or from third party storage should pay an appropriate backbone level rate. Such a rate, however, should not include any local transmission charges unless the shipper actually receives local transmission service.
CCC/Calpine contend that it is inappropriate to impose a storage bypass charge because this will discourage the use of third party storage by customers. Given the many benefits of third party storage, the Commission should provide incentives to use third party storage, rather than disincentives.
CCC/Calpine oppose PG&E's proposal to offer long-term contracts for up to 15 year. They assert that the proposal has limited practical value to noncore end use customers because it does not offer any rate certainty, and the 15-year term is too long. The only party that would benefit is PG&E because it could tie-up customers for 15 years. This could foreclose potential competition from alternative service providers, while retaining the flexibility to charge any rate that may be approved by the Commission.
CCC/Calpine assert that PG&E's proposal would remove a significant portion of available capacity from the short-term market and make it available only for long-term contracts. Thus, customers will face the risk of either not having short-term capacity available when needed, or the capacity will be available but at a higher price, due to the upward price pressure from a limited supply of short-term capacity.
CCC/Calpine agree with ORA's objection that PG&E anticipates that it will be at risk for the difference between the negotiated contract rate and the tariff rate only until the next rate case. CCC/Calpine assert that PG&E has not presented any explanation, let alone evidence, supporting why it is appropriate that the risk for any shortfall in revenue should shift from PG&E to customers with the next rate case.
CMTA recommends that PG&E's proposal for a 15-year contract be rejected. CMTA contends that the proposal does not offer rate certainty to customers, which customers need before committing to such a long-term. CMTA suggests that the Commission encourage a five-year rate settlement with PG&E for 2005 through 2009. Such a settlement would provide rate certainty.
The California Natural Gas Producers Association (CNGPA) provided testimony on PG&E's bypass proposal. CNGPA takes the position that if the gas never touches PG&E's system, that no backbone or local transmission charges should be owed.
Duke objected to certain aspects of PG&E's proposal to offer optional 15-year contracts for transportation services without the need for Commission approval of each such contract. In PG&E's rebuttal testimony, PG&E clarified that any such long-term arrangements would be optional, and that the capacity affected by any contracts for more than five years would be limited to 400 MDth/d on the Redwood Path and 200 MDth/d on the Baja Path.
PG&E also stated in its rebuttal testimony that it was open to negotiated long-term contracts, but noted that any negotiated rate would need to be tied to current rates. Duke notes that the absence of rate certainty requires the customer to assume the risk of forecast error while the utility benefits by having a firm commitment for whatever future capacity price is charged.
While PG&E's clarifications improve PG&E's proposal, Duke notes that the Commission may want to retain its ability to review contracts with terms of more than five years.
LGS does not oppose a bypass charge under the proper circumstances. However, PG&E should not be allowed to institute a charge based on speculation and anxiety, nor should it be allowed to charge customers for services they do not use. Before a bypass charge is imposed, LGS asserts that there needs to be proof that such a charge is needed, and a complaint proceeding would be more appropriate.
LGS contends that there is nothing in the transcript of this proceeding that points to the existence of bypass. Until bypass is shown, LGS contends it is a waste of the Commission's time and resources to debate such an issue. LGS recommends that PG&E's proposal for a bypass mechanism be denied, or that it be denied as premature.
In the event the Commission decides to look into this issue, LGS suggests that a working group be formed to address the issue. The working group could include PG&E, the third party storage providers, and any customer that PG&E believes may be engaging in bypass. The working group could then provide a report to the Commission, who could then decide what steps to take next.
If the Commission decides to adopt a bypass charge at this time, the Commission should make clear that third party storage providers may collect from PG&E their costs of acting as PG&E's billing agent. LGS is not in the business of billing and collecting for other entities. LGS would have to undertake additions to its systems if it were required to act as PG&E's billing agent. Such charges include LGS's expected return on the investment LGS would have to make in these incremental systems, as well as full reimbursement of other related costs.
PG&E proposes that it be permitted to offer contracts for firm backbone service for up to 15 years for standard firm service. The amount of firm capacity that would be available for up to 15 years would be limited "for the period covered by this proceeding" to 400 Mdth/d on the Redwood path, and 200 Mdth/d on the Baja path. These amounts represent about 20% of the capacity available on the two paths.
NCGC supports the concept of long-term agreements for backbone transmission capacity, but disagrees with PG&E's proposal that shippers who request long-term firm capacity must agree to pay the "standard firm tariff rate" for that capacity. Since the standard firm tariff rate is calculated on the basis of forecasted system load factors, the rate will change as system capacity utilization changes.
NCGC points out that a long-term contract customer assures PG&E of recovery of the revenue requirement associated with the contracted capacity. NCGC contends that pricing should reflect that assurance. Thus, the reservation charge that is billed for capacity held under a long-term contract should be based on the design capacity of the backbone pipeline, rather than the forecasted system load factor. In addition, the industry norm is to base demand charges for long-term capacity on design capacity, such as the demand charges on interstate pipelines.
NCGC contends that PG&E's proposal to impose the risk of system throughput variation on a customer creates the potential for PG&E to over-recover the costs of the transmission system.
ORA contends that the scope of this proceeding is not broad enough to consider all of the implications of PG&E's bypass proposal. Such an analysis must consider the impact on PG&E's revenue requirements. ORA suggests that the bypass proposal be reviewed in a more comprehensive proceeding.
PG&E proposes that it be allowed to enter into negotiated long-term contracts for firm backbone capacity. ORA is concerned about how this proposal will affect the treatment of any revenue shortfall resulting from such contracts. In PG&E's rebuttal testimony, PG&E states that if the negotiated contract rate differs from the tariff rate, that PG&E would expect to be at risk for the difference until the next rate case. ORA contends that this testimony suggests that PG&E expects to pass the risk of any revenue shortfall on other ratepayers. Under the Gas Accord, PG&E is at risk for any revenue shortfall. PG&E has not offered any explanation as to why the risk for the revenue shortfall should shift from PG&E to ratepayers. ORA contends that if PG&E enters into a negotiated long-term contract, that PG&E should remain at risk for the difference between the contract rate and the tariff rate. PG&E should not be allowed to automatically pass the risk of these contracts onto other ratepayers. To do so would eliminate any incentive for PG&E to protect the ratepayers from unreasonable costs associated with such contracts.
PG&E expressed concern in its application about entities using third party storage providers, such as Wild Goose, to effect a bypass of its local and/or backbone transmission charges. PG&E's witness Campbell testified that this could occur in two ways. First, with respect to the potential bypass of local transmission charges, a private pipeline connected to a third party storage facility could nominate gas from PG&E's backbone system for delivery to a third party storage facility, and then later withdraw the gas directly into the private pipeline for transportation to an end-use facility. Since PG&E would not be metering the gas, the customer could avoid PG&E's local transmission charge. The second type of bypass is if a third party pipeline is connected to a third party storage facility, gas could be injected into storage, and then delivery of the gas could occur on PG&E's transmission system using the zero rate Mission path transportation service. This would bypass the backbone transmission charge.
PG&E proposes that the third party storage providers assist PG&E in collecting the revenues which have been bypassed. Wild Goose is not opposed to the implementation of a proposal that compensates PG&E for revenue loss when a customer utilizes PG&E's system in a manner which avoids paying certain charges to PG&E. Wild Goose's parent company has encountered this situation on other pipelines, and has been able to negotiate tariff provisions satisfactory to all parties.
In order to implement such tariff provisions, Wild Goose contends that the methodology used for capturing the bypass revenues must be practical, and that PG&E must not overreach in its efforts to capture bypass revenues. PG&E may be overreaching by insisting that any accounting method must take into account the possibility of trades and exchanges that occur within the storage facility. Wild Goose contends that accounting for trades and exchanges within a storage field is burdensome, and is not needed to make PG&E whole with respect to any potential bypass.
Wild Goose contends that the focus should be on whether PG&E has been kept whole over the transaction cycle. In order to do so, one should assess what has happened at the interconnect between PG&E and the third party storage provider. If the deliveries balance, i.e., PG&E receives the same volume of gas back from the storage facility as was injected into the storage facility, then PG&E has been kept whole with respect to its transportation revenues. The fact that the 100 million cubic feet that went into the facility, is different than the 100 million cubic feet that came out, is irrelevant. Any adopted transmission bypass charge should recognize that such a charge should be assessed on a net basis, rather than transaction by transaction.
An issue that PG&E believes the Commission must address is the current or potential use of third party storage to bypass PG&E's transmission charges. Although PG&E believes that such interconnections are unlawful, PG&E proposes that an appropriate transmission charge be paid whenever there is a bypass of the transmission charges using third-party storage services.
PG&E contends that the bypass can occur in two ways. The first is bypass of local transmission charges. This occurs when gas is moved on PG&E's backbone system to a third-party storage facility, and then is redelivered to an on-system PG&E customer using a private pipeline connected to the storage facility. Under the Gas Accord, all gas that moves on PG&E's backbone system for final delivery to an on-system PG&E customer must pay local transmission charges and other applicable charges. Under the bypass situation, the on-system PG&E customer who uses a private pipeline connected to the storage facility could avoid payment of the local transmission charges because PG&E is not likely to know about the subsequent delivery from the third-party storage facility to the end-use customer.
The second bypass situation arises when pipelines receiving California gas production or new interstate pipelines connect to third-party storage facilities, and the gas is then delivered to PG&E's transmission system using the zero rate Mission Path backbone transmission service. This type of bypass can also occur if a private pipeline connected to the third-party storage facility delivers gas to that storage facility. The bypass can also arise if the gas is transported directly from the gas gathering line into the third-party storage operator's pipeline and then delivered immediately to PG&E's transportation system. These situations allow the shipper to avoid having to pay the Silverado Path rate that would have been charged if California gas production were delivered directly to PG&E's system; or avoidance of the Redwood or Baja rates if interstate gas were delivered through the storage facility to PG&E's system.
PG&E proposes that the Commission authorize PG&E to charge for transmission bypass that occurs through a connection to third-party storage facilities. PG&E points out that neither LGS nor Wild Goose oppose establishing a mechanism to collect the appropriate transmission charges that were bypassed. PG&E proposes that the charge be based on a calculation which measures the net flow between the third-party storage facility and PG&E. Depending on the outcome of the calculation, and only if a private pipeline's metered deliveries, receipts and storage inventory, including inventory transfers or exchanges, are not in balance, PG&E proposes to collect the transportation charges avoided by this customer by billing the owner of the private pipeline or gas gathering pipeline the applicable as-available rate for either Silverado path service or for transmission-level G-NT or G-EG end-user service. In the event the owner of the private pipeline is not a customer of PG&E, then the Commission should require that the third-party storage provider be responsible for billing the customer and reimbursing PG&E for the services provided by PG&E. PG&E recommends that the Commission approve PG&E's proposal in concept, and order LGS, Wild Goose Storage, and PG&E to work together on the necessary agreements, calculation methodologies, and tariff changes to implement the bypass charges.
LGS proposes that it be reimbursed by PG&E for accounting and collection activities if PG&E's bypass charge proposal is adopted. PG&E opposes the reimbursement proposal because the bypass of PG&E's transmission rates provides third-party storage facilities with additional market opportunities, and such costs should be recovered from these market revenues.
Assuming that the Commission approves a backbone-only rate, and assuming that a third party storage provider may permissibly interconnect with gas facilities other than those owned by PG&E, which is an issue PG&E contends has not been presented in this proceeding, PG&E would agree with CCC/Calpine that local transmission charges would not apply to deliveries from PG&E's backbone to third party storage, and then to an end-user who utilizes facilities that are owned by the end-use customer.
PG&E contends that the CCC/Calpine suggestion that PG&E would charge twice for local transmission service is mistaken. PG&E states that for deliveries of California production to PG&E using the zero cost Mission Path, PG&E proposes to charge the bypassed Silverado Path transmission rate, not local transmission charges. The local transmission charges would apply to the on system end user that eventually receives the gas.
PG&E asserts that the record clearly demonstrates the potential for bypass using LGS storage facilities. LGS admits that it has at least two interconnections with a private pipeline that could be used to bypass legitimate PG&E charges. PG&E contends that it needs to know whether transmission bypass is occurring, and an accounting process will help monitor and quantify this bypass. PG&E states that the Commission should order that an accounting process be established to verify whether bypass is or is not occurring. If no bypass is occurring, no transmission charges to redress such bypass will be levied. Whether or not bypass is occurring now, PG&E's proposal is simply requesting a date to determine the extent of such bypass, if any, and thus be able to collect the otherwise applicable PG&E transmission charges.
PG&E proposes that shippers be allowed to voluntarily contract for standard firm backbone transmission service for up to 15 years without Commission approval for each contract. Currently, contracts that are five years and longer require Commission approval. (See D.86-12-009 [22 CPUC2d 444, 470-471].) For the period covered by this proceeding, PG&E proposes that the amount of firm capacity for the long-term contracts be limited to 400 MDth/d on the Redwood path and 200 MDth/d on the Baja path. This represents about 20% of the available firm capacity. PG&E contends that the long-term contracts will benefit customers who need long-term gas transportation and supply contracts, and provide assurance that if capacity is needed that it will be paid for by the shippers.
In response to some of the parties, PG&E is willing to look at long-term contracts for 15 years with a negotiated take, term, and price. However, the Commission would need to authorize PG&E to allow it to enter in such negotiated long-term contracts. If such authorization is granted, PG&E would include these contracts in its Negotiated Contract Report that is filed monthly with the Commission.
PG&E points out that allowing contract terms up to 15 years is only another option for the market, and if customers do not value this option, they will not sign such contracts. Some customers, however, may want long-term backbone contracts. These long-term contracts would be at standard rates that are derived using the same rate design as all other standard backbone rates.
PG&E contends that the arguments raised by individual customers that no one would want a long-term contract option without rate certainty are frivolous because a single entity cannot assess the business needs of the whole customer class. PG&E contends that its proposal provides more options to customers. If a particular entity is not interested because it doesn't meet its individual need, that is no reason for the Commission to take the option away from others that might find value in the option.
PG&E does not support NCGC's request for a standard firm rate for long-term contracts that is based on the investment in associated facilities i.e., based on design capacity. Such a requirement would shift costs to customers who have shorter-term contracts. PG&E contends there is no reason to design rates for backbone contracts with terms of 6 to 15 years differently from those with terms of 1 to 5 years.
PG&E states that there is no basis for the argument that the conservative amount of capacity that will be made available for the long-term contract option will be in such high demand that it will require bidders to bid SFV for 15 years to acquire any of this capacity. Several parties have argued in this case that there is no demand for long-term contracts. PG&E believes that the demand will be less than the amount PG&E proposes to offer. PG&E's intent for setting a limit on the capacity available to the long-term option was to provide customers with a mix of short-term and long-term capacity options, not to create scarcity.
PG&E proposes to modify the Commensurate Discount Rule so as to remove certain disincentives that PG&E is facing in meeting market needs. This would be accomplished by making certain changes to the tariff. No party has taken issue with this proposal.
PG&E proposes to eliminate the current scheduling non-performance language in its tariffs, and replace it with a simpler and more direct process that reduces a shipper's ability to engage in scheduling non-performance. Scheduling non-performance usually occurs when a shipper submits a large nomination for as-available service at a constrained receipt point, receives a large share of its nomination in the confirmation process, and then only flows a small percentage of the volume that was confirmed.
PG&E proposes that the replacement process limit the Maximum Daily Quantity (MDQ) of any as-available contract for backbone transmission service to the expected usage of that contract by a shipper. Instead of the current process where a customer can request an as-available contract quantity up to the capacity of the pipeline, PG&E would define expected usage as the shipper's highest actual usage in the past 12 months. PG&E's proposal also calls for it being able to reduce, on a daily basis, an as-available contract's MDQ to the previous day's actual usage, if scheduling non-performance is occurring.
PG&E proposes to maintain the same basic Gas Accord structure for backbone transmission services, as described by PG&E in Exhibit 1.
No one opposes the proposal to continue the Gas Accord structure for backbone transmission services.20 We adopt PG&E's proposal to continue the Gas Accord structure for backbone transmission service. Other proposals that we adopt today, which affect this service, shall also be part of the structure for backbone transmission service.
PG&E proposes to continue the same basic Gas Accord structure for local transmission services, as described by PG&E in Exhibit 1. This includes the obligation of all customers who flow gas on PG&E's on-system backbone transmission path to pay for a share of PG&E's local transmission system.
The only concern that has been raised about continuing the Gas Accord structure for local transmission service is whether customers who are directly connected to the backbone should have to pay the local transmission charges. That issue is addressed in the Cost Allocation and Rate Design section of the decision.
No one else opposes any other part of the proposal to continue the Gas Accord structure for local transmission services. We adopt PG&E's proposal to continue the Gas Accord structure for local transmission service. Other proposals that we adopt today, which affect local transmission service, shall also be part of this structure.
PG&E proposes to allow shippers to contract for firm backbone transmission service for up to 15 years for standard firm service. The amount of firm capacity available for long-term contracts would be limited to 400 MDth/d on the Redwood Path, and 200 MDth/d on the Baja path. This represents about 20% of the available capacity. Under PG&E's proposal, a shipper who requests long-term firm capacity must agree to pay the standard firm tariff rate, which is subject to change in future rate proceedings.
Several parties oppose PG&E's proposal that it be allowed to offer long-term transmission contracts for up to 15 years. They cite several reasons for their opposition. First, there is no rate certainty because the contract is tied to the standard firm tariff rate, which may change in the future. Second, PG&E anticipates that it will be able to raise its rates in these future proceedings for any shortfall that PG&E may experience from the long-term contract. Third, the proposal ties up too much capacity, which will result in higher short-term capacity prices.
PG&E's proposal is strictly voluntary for those customers who need long-term contracts. Before entering into a contract of up to 15 years, a potential customer will consider the available options, and determine whether a long-term contract is in the customer's interest. The uncertainty regarding what the future standard firm tariff rate will be, is just one risk factor the customer will analyze and consider. After analyzing and weighing the options, a potential customer will either enter into the contract or not.
The argument that the rates are uncertain suggests that very few customers will sign up for long-term contracts. If that happens, the concern about tying up too much capacity will not materialize. If the opposite occurs, the 20% limitation should provide customers with sufficient capacity to meet their short-term needs. Any long-term capacity that is not sold, will be used to provide short-term capacity.
Some parties are concerned that PG&E will seek to make up any shortfall that PG&E might experience in a long-term contract by seeking a rate increase. We note, however, that the same customers who voluntarily decide to enter into such long-term contracts, are free to participate in any proceeding which seeks to increase the rate that they are paying.
Given the concerns, and the flexibility that long-term contracts offer to certain customers, we adopt PG&E's proposal to offer long-term backbone transmission contracts for up to 15 years.
PG&E's rebuttal testimony states that it is open to having negotiable long-term contracts of up to 15 years, but the Commission would have to authorize this. Presently, negotiated contracts for up to five years are permitted. We are not prepared at this time to allow negotiated backbone transmission contracts for more than five years. The demand for long-term contracts should be examined before deciding whether negotiated contracts of up to 15 years should be permitted.
The Commensurate Discount Rule was adopted in the Gas Accord. (73 CPUC2d at 784.) The rule requires that whenever PG&E offers a discount on the Redwood path, that PG&E is required to contemporaneously offer a commensurate discount (i.e., penny for penny) to all shippers for similar services on the Baja Path, and on the Silverado Path. PG&E seeks to change some of the language in the rule to remove certain disincentives that it faces when offering a discount.
Currently, the negotiated firm tariff is used as the benchmark for what defines a discount. PG&E proposes that a discount be defined as a rate below the standard firm rate for a negotiated firm service contract, or below the standard as-available rate for a negotiated as-available service contract.
None of the other parties provided any testimony on the commensurate discount rule, or commented on the issue in their briefs.
We have reviewed PG&E's justification for changing the language in the commensurate discount rule. The change allows PG&E to operate with more flexibility with respect to the offering of discounts. We adopt PG&E's proposal to change the rule.
To address the problem of scheduling non-performance, PG&E proposes to limit the Maximum Daily Quantity (MDQ) of any as-available contract for backbone transmission service to the expected usage of that contract by a shipper.21 PG&E's proposal also seeks to reduce, on a daily basis, an as-available contract's MDQ to the previous day's actual usage, if scheduling non-performance continues.
None of the other parties provided any testimony on the scheduling non-performance issue, or commented on the issue in their briefs.
PG&E's justification for this limitation is to reduce overnominations in connection with as-available backbone transmission service. As a result of scheduling non-performance, it reduces the opportunities for other shippers who may have flowed gas if they were awarded the space. The non-performance also reduces revenues from the use of the pipeline.
We adopt PG&E's proposal to limit the MDQ of any as-available contract for backbone service to the expected usage of that contract by a shipper, and to reduce an as-available contract's MDQ to the previous day's actual usage, if scheduling non-performance continues.
As described in detail in the Background section above, PG&E proposes that the Commission adopt a requirement that all third party storage operators under the jurisdiction of the Commission file a monthly report, and register all pipeline interconnections to its storage facilities. PG&E also seeks authority to charge for transmission bypass that occurs through a connection to third-party storage facilities.
This proceeding is the forum for adopting a gas market structure for PG&E's transmission system and the applicable rates. The bypass, or avoidance of, Commission-authorized charges is a concern from a revenue standpoint in this proceeding. However, this proceeding is not designed to determine whether bypass of these charges are occurring.
PG&E seeks a solution to remedy a possible problem. However, PG&E has not demonstrated that such a problem exists. PG&E recently filed a complaint case against Calpine, LGS and others in C.03-07-031, alleging that bypass of transmission charges is occurring. That proceeding is an appropriate place to determine whether bypass of Commission-authorized transportation charges is occurring.
PG&E seeks to require LGS and Wild Goose to impose monthly reports and to register its interconnects. The information which PG&E seeks, shifts the burden onto the storage providers to prove something which PG&E has yet to establish is occurring. This initial burden should rest with PG&E instead. PG&E must demonstrate with some certainty that a problem exists before we consider whether reporting and registration requirements should be imposed on LGS and Wild Goose.
The information which PG&E seeks is also a cause for concern. Under PG&E's proposal, the various pipelines connecting to LGS and Wild Goose would have to be identified, and various transactions would have to be reported. Much of this information describes in detail the operations of storage providers who offer a competitive alternative to PG&E's storage services.
PG&E's proposal to impose a monthly reporting and registration requirement, and authority to charge for transportation charges which allegedly have been avoided, is not adopted. Should PG&E establish that such a problem is occurring, we will consider taking all necessary and appropriate measures to correct the problem.


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WASHINGTON - The Defense Department says it has begun planning for the roughly $500 billion in personnel and program cuts that will be needed if Congress and the White House fail to reach an deal that would avoid the double hit of tax hikes and automatic spending cuts dubbed the fiscal cliff.
Pentagon spokesman George Little says the Pentagon started this week to look at how to implement the cuts, which amount to 9.4 percent across the board. He warned that it could force the department to throw out its new military strategy, which was designed to deal with the $487 billion in spending cuts already ordered for the next 10 years.
The cuts could affect spending on weapons and technology programs and how the military provides for troops, among other things.


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size_t is used all over the place in the standard. However, size_t is defined by the os/compiler, but the device could actually support more than 4GB of memory. For example, fermi will have 6GB of memory, but theoretically that could be running on a 32-bit linux machine (which unfortunately still do exist).
Or am I missing something fundamental about size_t?


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23 September, 2013 | (01 hr)
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At the last Conference Board Executive Coaching Conference, attendees were among the first to hear the latest findings from a landmark industry-wide research study. Organizations, external coaches, internal coaches (and even executives!) were surveyed—revealing interesting similarities and differences in their viewpoints.
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Audience: This webcast should be a valuable source of information and insight for those in Coaching, Leadership Development, Human Resource Management, Training and Learning Development, OD, Mentoring, and Line Professionals looking to implement coaching programs in their departments.
Erica Desrosiers, Ph.D.
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Dr. Underhill, Ph.D. is an industry-recognized expert in the design and management of worldwide executive coaching implementations. Dr. Underhill is the author of Executive Coaching for Results: The Definitive Guide to Developing Organizational Leaders (Berrett Koehler: 2007). He is the Founder o...Full Bio


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the email I just sent to Gerry Connolly
Dear Rep Connolly
I am writing to express my deep concern about news reports that suggest that you are considering supporting extensions of the Bush tax cuts for the richest 1 percent of Americans.
In the long term, we can not continue to run large budget deficits. Therefore, a vote to extend these tax cuts is a vote to cut spending on education, on roads, on health care, on job training. It is a vote to take away money from child care and from senior centers. It is a vote to accept the increasing inequality of opportunity in our society and to surrender the hope that government can make things better.
I know, some of your constituents are fortunate to make more than $250,000 a year. But they benefit from a healthy society, and can afford to contribute. Our economy grew very well during the 1990s when tax rates were at the levels that they would return to.
Please give me a reason to vote for you next month.
I sent the same letter (w/o the last sentence) to Warner and Webb.
I am really f-ing depressed tonight. And I don't see it getting better soon.
Update: I meant to link to this Center for American Progress report on what a budget balanced through spending cuts alone would look like.


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ElectronicsAccessories & Supplies
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As part of the Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, this Tuesday the façade of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican was illuminated with a slideshow projection entitled "Fiat Lux". Inspired by Pope Francis' recent encyclical "Laudatio Si", and timed to coordinate with the UN Climate Change conference taking place in Paris, the light show featured enormous images of animals, nature, and so on, put together to draw attention to the environment. You can watch a lengthy video of the display by following this link.
It is not easy to be a commentator and cultural critic when, as in my case, you are not a particularly good one, and you happen to be a practicing but bad Catholic, besides. There are many moments when, as a writer, you are torn between being nice, and being truthful. There are also many moments as a Catholic when you know that something is wrong, but you do not want to hurt someone else's feelings because you want to be thought of as a nice chap.
We Catholics have been playing nice, rather than actually practicing our religion, for quite a long time now, of course. This is not Pope Francis' fault: the majority of Western Catholics had already taken the position that it was better to be nice than to be truthful long before he was elected. In fact, in many instances they were encouraged to hold to such a view by their own priests and bishops, who told them not to worry so much about their sins, because they were fundamentally nice people – as if being nice was the moral equivalent of being conceived without original sin.
As a result, this high-level espousal of what we might call a "smile and you're saved" mentality which seems to dominate the Church in the West, has filtered from the hierarchy all the way down to the individual parishioner. Sunday after Sunday (when they actually bother to show up), Catholics are fed a kind of chicken soup theology, more appropriate for First-Graders who have not yet made their First Communion, in which the only real sin one can commit is that of not being nice to oneself or others. In essence, it seems as though we are all expected to join in a chorus proclaiming how, "Everything Is Awesome", including ourselves.
Except that everything is NOT awesome.
The harvest of planting generations of niceness instead of orthodoxy in the Church is all too readily apparent in both Europe and the United States, which have become like the fields choked by weeds of which Christ speaks in the Gospels (see, e.g. St. Matthew 13: 3-29, 36-43). One need only consider the widespread practices among Catholics of contraception, cohabitation, and abortion; low Mass attendance; liturgical abuses; sexual abuse and promiscuity among the clergy and religious; the closure of churches, schools, and monasteries; etc. Viewed purely from a cultural aspect, Catholicism is a mess, and it has become so, at least in part, by forgetting that man is not saved from damnation by being nice. It seems bizarre, when looking at the state of the Church in the Western world, that we continue to pursue niceness as being some sort of an addition to the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy.
I am most definitely not a theologian, nor do I pretend to be. Yet as an average, pew-sitting Catholic, a position which incidentally does not require me to hold an STL, I cannot for the life of me begin to understand when the idea of being nice came to supplant the actual duty of those in positions of knowledge and authority – priests, bishops, and yes, popes – to admonish sinners, instruct the ignorant, and counsel the doubtful. If you cannot recall the last time your parish priest or bishop preached on the nature and eternal effects of unrepentant mortal sin if one fails to seek out God's Mercy, you are not alone. It is important, therefore, in this Year of Mercy, to understand what exactly mercy is, and what it is not.
Being nice is not synonymous with being merciful, any more than being merciful is synonymous with being compassionate. Compassion is the responsibility of all, Christian or otherwise, to aid those who are suffering. Mercy is something else entirely – and it is not about being nice to others. By definition, mercy implies the forgiveness of an underlying state of punishable sin, a forgiveness which is only possible where there is not only an understanding of what sin is, but a recognition of one's being in a state of sin, coupled with the intent on the part of the sinner to turn away from and repudiate the sinful life they have been living. Conflating mercy with compassion, if you'll pardon the expression, is not very nice, for the eternal consequences are far more dire.
Remember that Christ saved the soul of St. Dismas, a.k.a. "The Good Thief", not because Jesus was nice, but because the man was a sinner who sought forgiveness. St. Dismas recognized, at the eleventh hour, that what he really needed was God's eternal forgiveness, more than he needed man's temporal approbation. Despite suffering in physical agony and humiliation in a public execution, he still had the faith to call out and ask Christ to forgive him and be merciful to him. And Christ gave him the promise which I hope against hope to hear when the time comes: "This day, you will be with Me in Paradise."
Now don't get me wrong from the title of this piece: I love butterflies. I used to chase them and study them when I was little, examining them closely before I would free them. They are wonderful creatures. The fact that pollution has grown so much worse that populations of creatures like butterflies are collapsing is a terrible thing. We can and should all agree that the abuse of God's Creation is a sin, and Pope Francis is right to call attention to it, even if it was unfortunate that he chose to do so in such a tacky (and arguably sacrilegious) way.
Yet just imagine if the Year of Mercy had been kicked off at St. Peter's, not with a light show to draw the attention and approbation of the international press, but rather with hundreds of priests hearing confessions, with the Holy Father giving sermons on the fatal nature of mortal sin, and conducting interviews explaining why it is important to be reconciled to God through the sacraments. Now that would have been really…nice.


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Cut Yourself Some Slack
Posted by Rogeema Kenny on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, In : Professional
I'm Sorry To Have Neglected You... But I'M BACK!!
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Legislative Report
Plains Surgery Outpatient Care Centre
The Saskatchewan Advantage is about more than just growth for growth's sake – it's about using the benefits of growth to improve the quality of life for you and your family. It's about things like improving access to healthcare; to this end, we have announced the new Plains Surgery and Outpatient Care Centre as part of our ongoing response to the 2009 Patient First Review. This new centre, approved in principle, will provide a full range of outpatient services including surgery, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, rehabilitation, outpatient cancer care and other related services that do not require an overnight hospital stay. The centre will be built in partnership with the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. It will be constructed on Crown-owned land opposite the Regina SIAST campus, with design expected to take six to twelve months to complete, followed by two years for construction. The closure of the Plains Health Centre in the 1990s put pressure on Regina's existing hospitals – this new facility will help relieve that pressure and improve access to healthcare for patients and families across southern Saskatchewan.
More Childcare Spaces in Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan Party government is delivering on its commitment to improve childcare with the opening of another 51 child care spaces in Saskatoon. Our government is proud to be working with the Spadina Early Learning and Childcare Co-operative to provide high-quality, licensed childcare to the Riversdale community and Saskatoon Princess Alexander Community School. Through partnership like this we can provide more secure and effective childcare and early learning opportunities across the province. In fact since 2007, we have made a record investment in licensed childcare, by providing funding for almost 4,000 new spaces. That's a 42 per cent increase. This is another way we are ensuring that everyone share in the benefits of growth.
Improvements for Persons with Disabilities
Another promise our government made and is working hard to keep is to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada to live for people with disabilities. One of the ways we're doing that is by making further improvements to the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) program. Over the next four years, SAID benefits will increase significantly and the program is being restructured in a way that combines several allowances under the Saskatchewan Assistance Plan into a single "Living Income" – further distinguishing SAID as a non-welfare support. It is important that people with disabilities live with dignity and independence and we feel these changes are a good start down that road.
If you have a question about this Legislative Report or any other matter, just Contact Donna.
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